Dell Axes Mini 12

Dell’s Mini 12 isn’t much longer for this world. Following a number of unconfirmed reports, Dell has admitted that the Mini 12 is, indeed, being discontinued.

It’s not really a surprising move. Dell is (sensibly) aware that: “It really boils down to this for a lot of customers, 10-inch displays are the sweet spot for netbooks.” Hence why Dell is focussed on the Mini 10 and Mini 10v, as that’s what its customers want. The Latitude 2100 is said to be doing well on the education side, too.

There are rumours that the Mini 9 might also see itself cut from Dell’s netbook line-up, although in the US at least it’s still being sold for now. Reports of its death are, for now, (s)greatly(/s) somewhat exaggerated, it seems.

According to Dell, to make a larger chassis worthwhile more power is needed, which as we know Atom isn’t exactly able to provide. We’re advised there’s “More to come from Dell on that later,” though, suggesting that we might see nVidia Ion Dell netbooks, or maybe a small, CULV-powered system that’s just a tad more affordable than the Adamo.